COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Amos 7:7-17
Amos was a prophet of the South in the eighth century. He wrote the earliest book in the Old Testament. Although he was from the South (Judah), God called him, ca. 750 B.C., to go to the North (Israel) to preach. He found the people prosperous, religious, but oppressive of the poor. His message was one of doom: death for the king and exile for the people. His preaching was not accepted. The chief priest told him to go home and preach to Judah.

Epistle: Colossians 1:1-14
Paul thanks God for the faith, love, and hope of the Colossians and prays that their lives may be worthy of Christ. A series of four readings from Colossians begins today. The first in the series of Paul's prayer of thanksgiving for their faith, love, and hope. Though he never visited…